Airbag rescue system

Abstract

The invention is directed to an airbag system and, more particularly, to such a system employed as a rescue or life-saving system to enable a person to survive an avalanche, for example. In a particular embodiment, the invention relates to an airbag system utilized with a backpack to be worn by a skier, snowboarder, hiker, or snowmobiler, for example. Instead of relying upon compressed gas cartridges or cylinders to inflate the airbag(s), the invention inflates the airbag(s) with ambient air only. In a particular embodiment, air is supplied to the airbag by means of a battery-powered electrical motor.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An airbag system for rescue in snow or water comprising:
 at least one inflatable airbag having an inflated state and a deflated state; 
 a powered air mover; and 
 a supporting device designed to support the at least one inflatable airbag and the powered air mover on a user of the airbag system or on equipment used by the user; 
 the supporting device comprises a backpack having an upright panel configured to be supported against a user's back; 
 in the deflated state, the supporting device being structured and arranged such that the at least one airbag is positioned within the supporting device; 
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag being structured and arranged to extend externally beyond the supporting device; and 
 in the inflated state, a majority of the at least one airbag extending forwardly of the upright panel. 
 
     
     
       2. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supporting device comprises a backpack having shoulder straps, the backpack supporting at least the at least one airbag and the powered air mover; 
 in the deflated state, the at least one airbag is contained within the backpack. 
 
     
     
       3. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one ambient air intake positioned on an outer surface of the supporting device. 
 
     
     
       4. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 3 , further comprising:
 ambient air intake ducting positioned to channel ambient air from the at least one ambient air intake to the powered air mover. 
 
     
     
       5. An airbag for rescue in snow or water comprising:
 at least one inflatable airbag having an inflated state and a deflated state; 
 a powered air mover comprising a means for inflating the at least one airbag with 100% ambient air to a volume of at least 100 liters in no more than 5 seconds; and 
 a supporting device comprising a backpack having shoulder straps, the backpack being designed to support the at least one inflatable airbag and the powered air mover on a user of the airbag system; 
 the backpack comprising an upright panel configured to be supported against a user's back; and 
 in the deflated state, the at least one airbag being contained within the backpack; 
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag being structured and arranged to extend externally beyond the supporting device; and 
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag extending forwardly of the upright panel. 
 
     
     
       6. An airbag system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supporting device comprises structure to support the at least one airbag respectively in the deflated state and in the inflated state; 
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag comprises at least a portion designed to be positioned proximate the user's head at the height of the user's head. 
 
     
     
       7. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the powered air mover comprises:
 a bladed rotor; 
 an electric motor; and 
 a battery connected to the electric motor for powering the electric motor for rotating the bladed rotor. 
 
 
     
     
       8. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the supporting device supports the battery as well as the electric motor and the at least one airbag. 
 
     
     
       9. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the powered air mover further comprises:
 a battery; 
 a controller connected to the battery and the powered air mover, the controller being configured to control power to powered air mover. 
 
 
     
     
       10. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a manual activation switch in communication with the controller, the switch being configured to be manipulated by the user and, via the controller, to selectively switch power to the powered air mover between off and on states. 
 
     
     
       11. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the airbag rescue system includes neither a compressed gas container nor a source of compressed gas. 
 
     
     
       12. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the electric motor has a weight of a fraction of a pound. 
 
     
     
       13. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the electric motor has a weight of no more than 98 grams. 
 
     
     
       14. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag is configured to extend at a height of the user's head on both sides of the user's head. 
 
     
     
       15. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supporting device comprises a backpack; and 
 the powered air mover is substantially centered, left-to-right, in relation to the backpack. 
 
     
     
       16. An airbag rescue system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the supporting device comprises a backpack; and 
 the backpack includes a main compartment for housing the airbag in the deflated state, in addition to other pockets. 
 
     
     
       17. An airbag system for rescue in snow or water comprising:
 at least one inflatable airbag having an inflated state and a deflated state; 
 a powered air mover; and 
 a supporting device designed to support the at least one inflatable airbag and the powered air mover on a user of the airbag system or on equipment used by the user; 
 in the deflated state, the supporting device being structured and arranged such that the at least one airbag is positioned within the supporting device; 
 in the inflated state, the at least one airbag being structured and arranged to extend externally beyond the supporting device; 
 in the inflated state, at least a majority of a volume of the at least one airbag extends above the powered air mover; and 
 in the inflated state and in an upright position of the airbag system when supported on the user, a majority of the volume of the at least one airbag is positioned above a top of the supporting device.